David Shields Seaver, 67, Dies

David Shields Seaver, 67, of Winchester, died Thursday, April 27, 2006 at his home.

Mr. Seaver was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on Sept. 19, 1938 to Alice and Robert Seaver. He married Dianne Ruth Colby on Aug. 18, 1962 in Madison, Wis. He received a Bachelor of Science (Political Science) degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1962, remaining a Badger fan throughout his lifetime.

He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant (Infantry) in the Regular U.S. Army on Aug. 11, 1962 and attended schools at Fort Benning, GA, where he received his Airborne wings. In 1964, he attended the Military Advisor Training School at Ft. Bragg, NC, before serving in Vietnam from 1964-65 where he was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Army Commendation Medal with "V" for valor and the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. He served a second tour in Vietnam in 1969-70 after transferring to the Military Intelligence Branch of the U.S. Army. He attained the rank of Major before leaving the Army in 1970 to begin a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Government. The family lived in Centreville for 25 years.

As a senior Defense official, Mr. Seaver served as The Defense Intelligence Agency representative to the Mutual and Balanced Force Reduction Talks between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in Vienna, Austria. He was instrumental in the development of negotiating strategies and was held in high regard by his colleagues and adversaries alike. His deep comprehension of the technical issues involved in this highly charged, but important arms control negotiation, coupled with his ability to ease tension with his gift of irrepressible humor, made him a respected member of the conference. After his tenure in arms control, he was, consecutively, the Division Chief of the Western and Latin American Analytical Divisions of DIA; and the vice-Director of Current Intelligence for DIA. In the waning years of his career, Mr. Seaver was selected to be an advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He retired from the Department of Defense in June 1993 at which time he was presented the Director's Award for Distinguished Service. He also was awarded the DIA Meritorious Civilian Service Medal in 1979.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Funkhouser (Michael) of Woodstock, Va., and Julie Kitts (Joseph) of Havre de Grace, Md. They have two grandsons, Andrew and Brent Funkhouser and four granddaughters, Hayley, Jenna, Colby and Taryn Kitts. Also surviving are: a sister, Mary, Buffalo Grove, IL; a brother, James, Littleton, Colo.; a brother, Robert (Ann), Gainesville, Va.; and a sister-in-law, Cynthia, Lexington, KY. Another brother, Daniel, is deceased.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 4 at 2 p.m. at St. Bridget of Ireland Church in Berryville, Va., with the Rev. Michael Kelly officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.